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Iliman Ndiaye booked for mimicking seagull in controversial win

Iliman Ndiaye converts his penalty to earn Everton victory
Iliman Ndiaye converts his penalty to earn Everton victory - Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye converted a disputed first-half penalty against Brighton – and was then booked for his seagull celebration.

Ndiaye capitalised when defender Joel Veltman was punished for handball following a VAR intervention. But the attacking midfielder’s celebration mimicking Brighton’s moniker, as well as cupping his ear to the home crowd, went down badly with referee Tim Robinson and he was shown a yellow card.

Brighton players and fans felt Veltman was fouled as he brushed the ball behind with his right hand while going to ground under pressure from Everton substitute Beto. Referee Robinson disagreed and the ninth-placed hosts were unable to find a way back into the contest, despite relentless second-half pressure.

Ndiaye cupped his ear to the home crowd
Ndiaye cupped his ear to the home crowd - Getty Images

“I was sandwiched between two guys,” Veltman said of the penalty. “I got a little push from the right hand side that moved my hand forward and the ball was there.

“We did well second half but we could not make a 100 per cent chance and that is what we have to improve.”

There was a scuffle involving several players from both sides at the final whistle, an illustration of Brighton’s frustration at having dominated possession with 69 per cent in the game, but only managing one shot on target. Everton, meanwhile, were delighted at only a second top-flight away victory in 22 games, stretching back to December 2023.

The win – in David Moyes 700th top-flight match as a manager – took Everton seven points clear of the relegation zone.

“The three points feel big,” Everton defender James Tarkowski said. “We have had a tough period the last few months and it is great to get back-to-back wins.

“I was nervous [for the penalty]. I didn’t even watch. I don’t know how it went in but I don’t care. Calm and collected, that’s what we expect of him [Ndiaye]. We have been resilient, grinded it out.”

However, a positive afternoon at the Amex Stadium was tempered by the loss of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to an early injury. He went down holding his right hamstring and limped off to be replaced by Beto.

The 13th-minute substitution was the only significant talking point until a dour contest came to life in controversial circumstances just before the break with that penalty decision.